A rare three part proximal ulnar shear fracture requiring innovative reduction and fixation in a paediatric elbow

Abstract

Fracture of the proximal ulna in children is an uncommon injury with various classification models. An 8-year-old boy presented to our emergency department with an isolated three part intra-Articular fracture of his right proximal ulna from an extension injury sustained during skiing which has not been previously described in the literature. He was taken to the operating room for open reduction and internal fixation. Two cannulated screws positioned in a posterior-Anterior direction were used to hold the reduction. He was discharged from the hospital 24 h post-reduction in a complete cast. At 5 weeks follow-up, his elbow radiographs indicate no loss of reduction and at 4 months follow-up, he has regained a full range of movement at the elbow joint. The cannulated screws were left in situ as it did not cause him any harm. We propose that the described fracture pattern should be managed by open reduction and internal fixation (cannulated screws used to hold the reduction, position in a posterior-Anterior direction).